Columbia County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Columbia County is 0.75%, which is significantly lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the Oregon state median of 0.86%. With the median home value in Columbia County at $443,380, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $3,263, which is higher than the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Columbia County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Columbia County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in St. Helens or another part of Columbia County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Columbia County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.75%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,325
Ownwell’s Columbia County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Columbia County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Columbia County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Oregon
Property taxes in Columbia County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Columbia County is 0.75%, which is lower than both the Oregon state median of 0.90% and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Columbia County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Columbia County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Columbia County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Oregon and the national median. For comparison, the city of Prescott has one of the higher property tax rates in Oregon at 1.26%, while the city of Portland boasts one of the lowest at 0.41%. Analyzing how Columbia County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Columbia County Tax Rate
0.75%
Average Oregon Tax Rate
0.86%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Oregon
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkenfeld | 0.93% | 0.93% | 0.93% | 0.93% | 0.93% |
| Clatskanie | 0.45% | 0.55% | 0.65% | 0.79% | 0.91% |
| Columbia City | 0.73% | 0.79% | 0.84% | 0.89% | 0.96% |
| Deer Island | 0.35% | 0.47% | 0.62% | 0.75% | 0.83% |
| Mist | 0.56% | 0.56% | 0.56% | 0.56% | 0.56% |
| Portland | 0.19% | 0.31% | 0.41% | 0.50% | 0.75% |
| Prescott | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.26% | 1.26% |
| Rainier | 0.42% | 0.52% | 0.62% | 0.81% | 0.98% |
| Saint Helens | 0.60% | 0.69% | 0.76% | 0.80% | 0.86% |
| Scappoose | 0.58% | 0.71% | 0.83% | 0.91% | 0.95% |
| St Helens | 0.51% | 0.61% | 0.71% | 0.83% | 0.91% |
| Vernonia | 0.56% | 0.66% | 0.77% | 0.87% | 0.96% |
| Warren | 0.54% | 0.62% | 0.70% | 0.76% | 0.81% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Oregon
In Columbia County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Columbia County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Columbia County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. For instance, Warren has the highest median tax bill at $4,493, while Birkenfeld has the lowest at $457. Being aware of these valuation processes in Columbia County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Oregon
Source: Ownwell
$49,300
$775,060
$1,500,820
Average Columbia County Assessed Value
$443,380
Average Oregon Assessed Value
$438,140
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Oregon
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkenfeld | $49,300 | $49,300 | $49,300 | $49,300 | $49,300 |
| Clatskanie | $229,562 | $300,950 | $407,495 | $547,268 | $689,865 |
| Columbia City | $306,618 | $409,525 | $472,830 | $593,542 | $775,993 |
| Deer Island | $289,308 | $398,440 | $532,220 | $677,080 | $869,620 |
| Mist | $456,670 | $456,670 | $456,670 | $456,670 | $456,670 |
| Portland | $468,820 | $720,100 | $1,500,820 | $1,700,218 | $2,087,440 |
| Prescott | $55,100 | $55,100 | $55,100 | $55,100 | $55,100 |
| Rainier | $220,790 | $317,785 | $442,250 | $587,685 | $750,940 |
| Saint Helens | $274,360 | $325,240 | $427,940 | $529,280 | $689,320 |
| Scappoose | $334,664 | $426,895 | $499,560 | $626,310 | $823,184 |
| St Helens | $300,606 | $322,300 | $393,900 | $617,640 | $794,474 |
| Vernonia | $206,738 | $272,490 | $382,860 | $522,840 | $717,182 |
| Warren | $412,550 | $499,240 | $650,080 | $809,170 | $966,180 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Oregon
In Columbia County, OR, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is typically lower than its market value. The local tax rate is then applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. For homeowners, several factors influence this calculation, including the property's location, any applicable exemptions, and local government budgets. The median home price in Columbia County is $443,380, and property tax bills can vary significantly. For example, the tax bill at the 25th percentile is around $2,219, while at the 75th percentile, it reaches $4,292. At the 90th percentile, homeowners can expect to pay approximately $5,395. Comparing these figures nationally, the median property tax rate is 0.99%. In Columbia County, the highest median tax bill is found in Warren, at $4,493, whereas Birkenfeld has the lowest, at $457. These variations highlight how local factors and assessed values influence the financial burden on homeowners.
Average Columbia County Tax Bill
$3,263
Average Oregon Tax Bill
$3,628
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Oregon
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkenfeld | $457 | $457 | $457 | $457 | $457 |
| Clatskanie | $1,332 | $1,946 | $2,701 | $3,640 | $4,702 |
| Columbia City | $2,609 | $3,365 | $4,001 | $4,905 | $6,390 |
| Deer Island | $1,450 | $2,127 | $3,110 | $4,314 | $5,425 |
| Mist | $2,554 | $2,554 | $2,554 | $2,554 | $2,554 |
| Portland | $2,259 | $3,015 | $4,014 | $6,557 | $7,590 |
| Prescott | $692 | $692 | $692 | $692 | $692 |
| Rainier | $1,353 | $2,029 | $2,825 | $3,726 | $4,694 |
| Saint Helens | $1,899 | $2,406 | $3,226 | $4,081 | $5,106 |
| Scappoose | $2,579 | $3,376 | $4,090 | $4,914 | $6,078 |
| St Helens | $1,449 | $1,907 | $3,133 | $4,732 | $6,447 |
| Vernonia | $1,442 | $2,106 | $2,956 | $3,953 | $5,008 |
| Warren | $2,605 | $3,292 | $4,493 | $5,667 | $6,892 |
Source: Ownwell